Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
On September 8, 2006 the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported, "Enough fighting already! A group of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Quaker women don't want to argue about religion. They want to talk. The women don't have solutions to the world's religious conflicts. But they want to hear how faith has shaped local women, and learn how being a woman has shaped their faith. The Women's Interfaith Circle of Palm Beach County will hold its first retreat on Sunday at Union Congregational Church in West Palm Beach. More than 70 women have signed up, and the retreat will be limited to 100. Walk-ins are welcome on Sunday if there is room. The afternoon of events will include a worship service with prayers from different religions and small group sessions, where women will share stories and make collages. They also will learn songs and blessings and finish with tea and cookies. 'It will not be an intimidating atmosphere,' said Karen Modell, 57, an organizer and chaplain for VITAS hospices, based in Boynton Beach. 'It's for women who want to share their story and want to hear their neighbor's story.' The retreat idea started with Modell, who attends a lunch group for women in religious service informally known as the Church Chicks Lunch Bunch. About five to 10 women attend the monthly lunches, where discussions range from getting parents more involved in their children's religious education to how to help the homeless. 'We have more things in common than not,' said the Rev. Patricia Masterman, of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Lake Worth. 'We're all dealing with the same issues.'"